MTL - True Star - v4 Chapter 42 Film festival (below)

Deep below the earth's surface, a mystifying subterranean seascape lurks, an archipelago bathed in inky blackness where suspense and horror hold court. Here lie strange islands and even stranger monsters, far beyond the realms of human imagination. In this domain, mankind is far from dominant; instead, madness and death rule supreme.

Pleading for mercy from the unknown creatures of the deep only leads to a slow, tortured existence. The trapped survivors gradually distort, losing what made them human, both physically and mentally, to the gloom as they remain trapped in this eternal obscurity. Their only hope? A perilous expedition into uncharted sea territories.

Fueled by determination, Charles embark on this daunting voyage aboard his steamship, aiming to reclaim humanity's past glory. Together with his crew, they sought a way out of this hidden sea world, a path back to the sunlit world above, where humans once stood tall.

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I read a few comments from Chinese readers that compared this novel with Lord of Mysteries because of similar elements: Lovecraftian, western fantasy, first industrial revolution, and steampunk. However, I have yet to finish reading Lord of Mysteries to do any actual comparison, but I do think those who have enjoyed that novel would enjoy this as well. Also, the author of LotM, Cuttlefish That Loves Diving, also did a shout-out for this novel, so I guess he approves of it too?

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In her past life, Jun MuYan had a hard life and died miserably. Her unborn child was ripped from her to be refined as an elixir, and even her own flesh was used as someone else’s stepping stone.

In this wild future dimension, Earth has been totally flipped on its head thanks to some crazy cosmic mutation rays. Psychic and cutting-edge tech have merged, totally reshaping human life.Here, chasing immortality isn't just a pipe dream, and hopping between stars is just another part of the daily grind.But let me tell you, this world is anything but chill—it's packed with complex schemes, intense showdowns, and heart-pounding action.Let's talk about Ethan. He's the black sheep of the Blackwood family, slapped with the shameful title of a F-grade Psychic user. His life was as dull as watching paint dry—until fate decided to throw him a curveball and kickstart a new chapter in his life.Ethan stumbled upon a virtual game where players can raise families with Psychic.At first, creating a virtual family was just a way to kill time, but as the game began to mesh with the real world, it blew the lid off some mind-blowing truths. Ethan and his virtual descendants forged an unbreakable bond. Together, they faced the future, diving headfirst into thrilling adventures that only made them stronger.Years down the line, these virtual descendants had become insanely powerful, and in a wild twist, they popped up in the real world. They tracked down Ethan and hit him with a, “Welcome home, Forebearer!”“...”This wasn't just a game anymore—it had become Ethan's new reality, and he and his virtual offspring were about to shake up the world big time.

Truck-Kun strikes again, but Dan isn't heading to a fantasy world; it's coming to him! Dan will have to figure things out on his own, waking up with a strange new power and his head in a pretty girl's lap!

A crazy voice claiming to be an AI named Orphus tells him the world is about to change, and a battle of good and evil will tear the entire world apart. Dan isn't told he is the only Hero out of the thousands of humans that received special powers!

The Truth of the AI might change everything, but as far as Daniel can see, the AI are a problem that he needs to deal with. This journey is only just beginning, more danger is on the horizon, and Daniel finds out that the problems he faces now are just a warm-up for the actual challenge.

Even if the universe turns against Daniel, he must stand tall and face it all. There isn't anyone else who can do it; he is the only Hero in a universe trying to tear itself apart.

The Hero isn't alone.

Daniel will have the help of his girls, those close to him, and friends he makes along the way. Get ready for a journey that stretches past the limits of your imagination, the known universe!